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Looking back to last year, it’s hard to believe how far this blog has come in just twelve months.

When I got the idea for Let The Words Flow, I had very few writing friends—fewer still from FictionPress. The FP friends I did have didn’t know each other—didn’t know that there were others out there, struggling to make the leap between FP and publication.

The only proof I had that you could make the jump was embodied in Mandy Hubbard, our resident rock star, who supported this group from Day 1. I knew that if Mandy was on board, we’d have a degree of credibility—Mandy, with her multiple book deals and oodles of success, was our poster child for all that we could accomplish.

But there had to be more of us out there—there had to be other FP people with book deals, or agents, or querying agents. So I looked. I looked and looked, browsing through the profiles of other FictionPress “Greats.” And I found a few—enough to start a blog, if they would only join Mandy and me.

I still remember the terror and anticipation of sending out those initial emails to potential contributors—I remember praying that any of them would respond to me.

After all, very few of us were friends—in fact, most of us had been fierce rivals on FictionPress. We never talked, and if we ever came across each other, it was in fan-run contests that did nothing but increase the tension between us. We were all islands surrounded by a sea of adoring fans.

You can’t imagine my surprise when all of them not only replied to me—but they all accepted my offer to join LTWF.

The biggest surprise came from Savannah J. Foley not only accepting the offer, but being absolutely thrilled to join the group. She’d been one of my biggest rivals on FP—QUEEN OF GLASS and WOMAN’S WORLD were always matched up against each other in contests. But it was our similarities, not our past differences, that bonded us: we both had agents, and had both started submissions to editors. Though she had a ton of potential, I had no idea—none—that she would become not only a close friend, but also the solid foundation upon which LTWF would be built.

I will admit, initially, I was swamped. I managed a lot of features on the site, and would often bolt upright in the middle of the night to realize something needed fixing. We only posted three days a week, but it was enough to keep us all busy. We survived the initial few months, and our readership grew more and more every day—we actually had readers! We had people who were interested in our journeys, people who were having journeys of their own—people who were interesting and brilliant and oh so lovely.

One of those people was Biljana Likic. A long-time friend of mine from FP, Billy is a bit of a child prodigy—though she was only 17 at the time, her writing was (and is!) incredible. At the risk of sounding like an old person, Billy showed a tremendous amount of potential. She’s also wonderful person—funny, kind, and clever, and she brought a much-needed burst of humor and fun to the group dynamic when she joined in January of 2010.

With Billy on board, we had enough members—and enough readers—to start posting more frequently. We dared ourselves to start posting five days a week. I fretted over that (when am I NOT worrying?), wondering if we could possibly keep it up, and how we could keep our readers interested. I also wondered if we had enough diversity in the group—there were plenty of aspiring writers in LTWF, but what about the other side of the desk? What about aspiring agents and editors?

That answer came in early March, in the form of Vanessa Di Gregorio, an aspiring writer attending a publishing course, but also an intern at a literary agency with dreams of working in publishing. The other side of the desk didn’t look so empty anymore. Of course, we had no idea that being on the other side of the desk would later be the way we got hooked up with prizes for all of our giveaways, or that she’d become the Grand Dame of our Saturday Grab Bag posts and book reviews. Or that she’d be the one to revamp our site and become the ghost behind our twitter account, taking it from 50 or so followers to over 450 followers (and counting)!

By that point, it seemed only natural to add Jenn Fitzgerald to our ranks in late March. Another aspiring author, Jenn spends her days living out one of everyone’s childhood dreams: working as an archaeologist. Her adorable MG novel brought a bit of a change from our usual YA fare, and her determination to keep querying and writing, despite digging all day long, made her an inspiration.

At this point, we found new members left and right. We had people applying to be in the group. That absolutely blew my mind.

In the group itself, the number of emails back and forth skyrocketed. Communicating with my contributors was no longer a daily thing, but an hourly one. Girls who I had once seen as my enemies were my confidantes and cheerleaders. I’ll never forget the joy of sending an email to them, announcing my book deal with Bloomsbury—and I’ll never forget crying in my car as their replies showed up on my blackberry. Sharing that moment with them was one of the best moments of my publishing journey thus far.

In the wake of getting a book deal, one of the congratulatory wishes I received was from a FP writer named Julie Eshbaugh—who sent me a message to say that LTWF had inspired her to keep querying, and that she now had an agent. She was so passionate about the group (and had received multiple offers of representation!) that we knew she had to join us. So, in early April of 2010, she did. And she meshed perfectly.

With so many members, we no longer had to worry about filling out the calendar. In fact, we were all so eager to post that we added another day of posting, and in May, we kicked off our Saturday posts.

Swamped with pre-wedding preparations, I had to step back a bit from my LTWF duties. I wondered if this group—which I had once managed all on my own—could function without me for a few weeks. Well, to my delight, it could—and it did. The site that I had struggled to maintain months ago was suddenly a well-oiled machine—people had assumed responsibilities without even my asking. Realizing that it had become a community-run blog was one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had.

One of the members who would later become a huge help was Kat Zhang. She submitted an application that blew us all away—not only was she querying agents with a wonderful manuscript, but she was also an amazingly talented spoken word poet. We had tentatively discussed not taking on any more un-agented new members, but Kat’s humor, kindness, and brilliance won us over. We knew it was only a matter of time before she landed an agent. And this September, she did. Kat claims she didn’t cry the day she got the call, but I think a few of us cried enough on her behalf to compensate.

After Kat joined, we had a dilemma: did we have too many members? Were our readers getting detached from the warm, cozy atmosphere of the site? It would take a truly incredible member to get us to change our mind. We found two.

Sammy Bina originally joined us as a month-long guest contributor, though by the end of week 1, it was pretty apparent that we had to have her forever. An intern at a literary agency, Sammy brought invaluable advice to our readers regarding all aspects of the querying process—and as an aspiring, querying writer, she was also a contributor our readers could connect with. More than that, Sammy was also a part of the wildly-popular Plagiarism Haven group, and many of her readers became LTWF regulars. If you attended our latest livechat, you’ll know that she’s a firecracker, and provides us with endless hours of entertainment (which is obviously the most important thing she could do!).

The last member to join our ranks was Vahini Naidoo—who came to us just days after accepting an offer of representation from an agent (after receiving multiple offers)! Not to mention, she’s still in high school (way to make us all feel bad, Vee!). Hailing from Australia, Vee took LTWF from a North American group to a truly international one, and her dry sense of humor melded beautifully with our group dynamic.

Had you asked me a year ago if I knew that the group would become so large, and so diverse, I would have laughed. When I started the blog, I had high hopes, but I never thought farther down the road than a few months. Now we think in years.

One of the exciting new features that we’ll be adding is our free online creative writing course, which will begin in February of 2011 (details soon to come)! We’re also planning tons of livechats (next month: querying!), adding some new members, and we have a few more surprises up our collective sleeve.

But we wanted to do one more thing—just to say thank you to the readers who have helped make this blog such a success.

In honor of our one-year anniversary, we’re going to be giving away nine gift baskets customized by each LTWF member! On Saturday, we’ll post the official contest announcement/sign-up, but gift baskets will include contributors’ favorite books, moleskine notebooks, and much, much more!

Because we owe it all to YOU. We never could have added new members—we never would have met each other—if we didn’t have readers coming back every day, asking us QOTWs, entering our contests, and turning this blog from a dream into a reality.

A year ago, that’s all this blog was—a dream. A dream that we weren’t the only FictionPress people trying to get published. And if there’s any moral to this post—to this blog in all its entirety—it’s that you are not alone.

I think that’s what took us all by surprise: despite years of rivalry on FictionPress, we are more similar than any of us realized. We are not alone. We are no longer islands.

Thank you all for proving that.

~~~

Sarah J. Maas is the author of several novels, including QUEEN OF GLASS, a YA fantasy retelling of Cinderella that will be published by Bloomsbury in late 2011. Sarah resides with her husband in Los Angeles. You can visit her blog here.

Thank you so much for making this blog as it is now. A year ago, I had never taken my writing seriously, and I had self-confidence issues when it came to writing stories. Now, I`m almost finished with a novel that is currently at 71K.

Moreover, I never would have met such awesome people–including my awesome but busy critique partner, Kayleigh, and other people who blog on livejournal–without this blog.

I look forward to the creative writing course. It sucks that I might be in the United States in February though. >.<

God, I do not know how many times I would obsessively stalk this site for new updates – and then proceed to feverishly devour it all.

I’d like to thank you guys, for every word of advice, encouragement and tips (good Lord, I don’t know how much more oblivious in regards to writing I could be if I did not know about this blog). Do not ever change, or stop. Ever. (:

Thank you so much for making this website. I can’t tell you how much it’s inspired me to venture to do something I would have never dreamed of doing a year ago: writing. Reading has always been my passion, especially YA books. Sometimes I found myself writing stories then deleting them in embarrassment. Who was I to think I could write and have someone actually read it? What was to say my writing was poetic, prosaic, or lyrical enough to garner attention of anyone but myself? I always felt ashamed of liking YA books and reading them so avidly while others read “adult” works. This site has helped me overcome my shame, embarrassment, and fears of reading and writing YA fiction. It has allowed me to take that first timid step out of the door into another world of endless possibilities. I know there must have been some late nights trying to figure out what to talk about and long days writing out each post so that it’s perfect for us readers. I just want to say thank you for all your guys’ hard work behind the scenes helping out people like me. Thank you for enabling us to reach for a dream we never thought possible and inspiring hope in us who just needed a little boost in the right direction. Thank you so much!

Awww! Don’t be ashamed to write YA! This Saturday in our Mash Up we’re including this awesome article about why YA is better than Adult writing, and it made us all so excited there was some jumping and yelling!

When I woke up this morning and found this comment waiting in my inbox, I started crying. I’m beyond honored and thrilled that we’ve had such an impact on you. Keep writing–keep your chin up when you tell people you read and write YA fiction! 🙂

How lovely! 🙂 The quintessential creation story has been told! I am SO EXITED for the creative writing program in February – and it’s inspired me to really try and get my MS ready. Probably won’t be finished, so hopefully this one is a success and I can look forward to participating in the second round. Ah, glee. 🙂

For the CW course, we’re going to consider people with manuscripts that are at least 75% completed–so your ms doesn’t have to be finished or polished or ANYTHING like that to apply (though that’d be a plus)! Feel free to apply when the time comes!

Pahaha okay honestly I only found this blog a week ago (I know, I know, I’ve been living under a rock this whole time!), but it’s been at the top of my daily to-stalk list ever since. You’re all SUCH amazing, encouraging people; LTWF has given me a much needed, inspired kick in the rear to start writing and learning and improving again.

Awww, thanks so much Chele!!! We always love new readers, and we hope to see you around in the comments (or participating in some of our lives chats!). No pressure, of course – we love our silent creepers just as much ❤

And can I just say how AWESOME it is to hear that we're on your daily to-stalk list already? That really means a lot! And I know I needed a push to start writing again, so I know exactly how you feel! 😀

Ditto to what everyone has already said! You gals have created an atmosphere that is unlike any other ‘group’ blog I’ve come across. Even though I don’t comment that often, I feel totally at home here, and you are all so inspiring! You really instill a feeling in me like, ‘yes, you CAN do it!’

Also, I love how you post on Saturdays!!! I totally look forward to the mashup!

It’s so hard to believe we have come so far in only one year, but this blog owes it all to our READERS! Your comments and support have kept us going. And thanks to our founders, too, who hiked a lonely road to get LTWF started. <3<3<3 HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY EVERYONE!!!! <3<3<3

I read this and cried. I know I am no longer a part of LTWF and I’ve (literally) drifted off the online/LJ/etc community, but just reading this post realized how far ALL of you have come. I wish you the very best in the upcoming years (because I *know* it WILL be years), and I can’t wait to see everyone on the blog’s success stories in the future. Like Sarah’s cover, Sammy’s agent, Savannah, Kat and Julie’s book deals, etc…
Happy anniversary 🙂

When I found this enchanting little link on Sarah J Maas’s FP account, I was thinking, hey, maybe this will keep me entertained. Back then, I was a little girl writing anime fanfiction and had basically zero ambition to be a published writer – also a young girl who basically spoke english (none of her native Mandarin/Cantonese) and so, wasn’t really accepted by some of her more passionately Chinese relatives.

Huh.

So, fast forward one year, and I have more new friends than I could have ever imagined having, a new dream to dream (aside from wanting to own my own horse) and maybe a bit more backbone. I’m writing more than I ever have, I have CRITIQUE GROUP whom I absolutely love and geez, I have people I can send letters to – internationally!

LTWF did not just make me a (possibly?) better writer but it also broadened my world. I love all of you – from Sarah to Heather to Tim – because of how you have made me better and I am so sorry this sounds like an Academy Awards speech. I love that you guys created a home for all of us straggling, small-people-dream-big writers and that you guys have not only shared your writing, you’ve shared your lives.

I can’t believe you’ve been updating this blog for a year already! I love reading all the posts and getting different views on books and writing styles. I also love telling people about it. Thanks for giving my inner literary nerd a place to hang out!

You are all such incredible women and I am so glad that I follow this blog. I read it every day (and if I get behind I catch up as soon as I can). You give me confidence that once my story is ready, I can query it with some confidence because you’ve all given so many great tips, and I know that all of you will be part of every one of your readers journey’s to publishing. You provide so much helpful advice, information, and personal love to all of us that we all feel supported through this blog. I know I do. I know every time I hear one of you has gotten a step closer to publication I feel my heart lift, and I know you will feel the same way when your readers are able to thank YOU for getting them on their way. You are all incredible and I am SO grateful that you all made this blog! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Thank YOU Gaby! Because if I hadn't had such wonderful comments on my terrible fanifcs way back when, I'm not sure I would've kept writing (or that I would've gone to FP!). So you're one of the reasons I'M here ❤

You guys are amazing and I love you. THIIIIS much. I actually hadn’t written a word in a really really long time until I stumbled across this place and inadvertently got Savannah to critique an old old OLD story of mine on FP (Thanks, by the way. Mass ❤ for that.).

Wow, a whole year! I found you guys in February, but it seems like it’s been SO much longer. And really, LTWF inspires more people than you might think. It’s amazing how seeing that other people are going through the same process, and finding success, can really inspire others to reach their goals too. 🙂

Dear Let The Words Flow,
When this blog launched, I had had writer’s block for nearly two years, and had all but given up on my dream of ever getting published. But now my creative juices are flowing, and I am slowly but surely finding my voice again. Even more important, I believe that one day I will be published.
You ladies are an inspiration, and I look forward to all of your novels and many more years just as wonderful as the first. Thank you all so much.
❤
Jennifer

dear ladies at LTWF
happy 1 year! as someone in a very different day-time life/career, in recent years i felt very alone in my side venture of writing. however, i now feel connected, rejuvenated, and inspired to a writing community through the work of this blog. you all are amazing!
with much love, loads of admiration, and bunches of gratitude,
~kate

Happy anniversary, LTWF! I can’t believe how much this blog has grown in just one year! I’ve had this bookmarked since it first started, and although I’ve stopped writing long ago, I know this is the first place I’ll visit for tips if ever inspiration strikes again.

You girls are great, and I’m rooting for overwhelming success for all of you!

You’ve done a fabulous job with this blog, and us readers share the joy. It’s opened our eyes to the publishing world–or simply, to the *possibility* of being published, at all. The blog shed light on many things that were in the dark, starting by doubts people had over being able to publish anything they’d posted on FP to all the bigger, more important things.

So thank you very, very much. I hope it continues growing and I’ll keep visiting and supporting it for as long as I can. 😀

PS. Now you’ve made me curious about each of the contributor’s history on FP. I confess I didn’t even catch you or Savannah on it way back when. QOTWable? 😛

What a lovely post! I’m glad this has been everything and more than you expected. I hadn’t been sure I’d be a regular reader of this blog (since I’m not planning on ever trying to publish any of my writings), but I check for updates at least every other day. So thank you!

And you’re not planning on publishing ever? I think it’s great that you know yourself so well, and that you’re comfortable and happy writing for yourself. If only all writers were as wise! But I definitely think you shouldn’t dismiss publishing any of your work – you never know, maybe one day you’ll write something that begs to be shown to the masses!! ❤